The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki (also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific) is one of the emblematic buildings on the shores of Waikiki Beach, renowned for its vibrant pink facade, rich cultural history, and luxury accommodations. It is believed that its pink hue comes from the pink stucco concrete used and also because of its Spanish / Moorish / Portuguese architectural influences, which often incorporated vibrant colors and shades of pink.
Every time we visit Oahu, we stop by the Royal Hawaiian. While we haven’t stayed there yet, we love strolling through its beautiful grounds or enjoying dinner at the Mai Tai Bar, one of the hotel’s iconic restaurants. It’s become a tradition for us—our way of saying hello to this special place.
Royal Hawaiian Resort – a historic place in Hawaii
With its Spanish / Moorish architecture, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel was one of the first hotels built in Hawaii at the beginning of the twentieth century. The construction took place on royal grounds – this was once the home of King Kamehameha I and also Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace once stood in the lush area now known as the Coconut Grove.
Built at a cost of $4 million, the project was completed in just 18 months. The six-story, 400-room hotel was designed in the Spanish-Moorish style, a popular architectural trend of the era, inspired partly by the allure of screen star Rudolph Valentino.
READ MORE: Iconic Cafes in the World: Confeitaria Colombo in Rio de Janeiro
In 1927, the hotel opened with a glamorous black-tie gala attended by over 1200 guests. This moment marked the start of a new chapter in luxurious resort travel to Hawaii. Promoted as a gateway to the exotic South Pacific, the resort became a hub for the era’s elite, offering unparalleled luxury on 15 acres of pristine beachfront.
The rise of air travel in the 1950s and the introduction of jet service in 1959 provided faster and more convenient ways to reach Hawaii. This evolution in travel significantly transformed the tourism industry. In 1959, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and its sister properties were sold to the Sheraton hotel chain, marking a new chapter for the resort.
Over time, the hotel hosted celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty, earning its place as one of the most prestigious hotels in the world. Today, Royal Hawaiian Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, a non-profit organization that fights to save and revitalize America’s historic places.
READ MORE: Best museums to visit in Oahu, Hawaii
Today, the hotel is owned by Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts, which leases the land from Kamehameha Schools, and Marriott manages it under its current official name, “The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort.”
The Royal Hawaiian remains a symbol of timeless elegance, a destination that invites you to step into Hawaii’s past while enjoying modern luxury.
If you want to learn more about Royal Hawaiian’s rich history while staying on-property, sign up for a weekly historical tour held inside the hotel every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. (reservation required).